Key holder



Patented July 11, 195) KEYHOLDERI $1 This invention relates to certain newand use- I ful' improvements in 'containersfor keys, and particularly 'relates to a new and improved key container which-is adapted to effect ejection of the'key'from a look when locking has been accomplished. 1 M

The-present application is a continuation in part "of our co-pending application, Serial No. 756,576. j- 1 Th'ere have been previous attempts to provide key containers which-include automatic ejection means, butthese previous attempts'have been presently"characterized by their inflexibility in use preventing their satisfactory employment alternatively with keysof varying sizes and 1 lengths. y

The principal object ofthisin'vention isto provide a key holding container" which includes means for ejecting the keyfrom a lockedlock and which is adjustable to accommodate keys of various sizes and length i A further object of the invention is to provide such a key holder with a removably fixed abutment for engaging the handle'end'of a key.

. A further object of the invention'is to provide a compact, substantially flat container of the character described r I And a further object of the invention is to generallyr improve the design, construction and utility of key ejctingholders'. .1 i

The means" by which the "foregoing" and other objects of the present inventionfare accomplished and the'manner of their accomplishment will readily beunderstood from; the' following specification upon" reference to the accompanying drawingsinwhichr *Figli 1 is a"top"*'plan View of 'the key holder of the present invention withthe top thereof removed. t I k r Fig. 2 is a similar'view with the preferred form oftop in position"and"tvith the eject'r mecha nism of the device compressed.

'Fig. 3 isa' longitudinal sectional on the line III-III'Of Fig. 1. l

Fig.4 is'a front end view ofthe container with-- outa'k'eyijand i "Fig. 5 is aside'elevation of a variationofthe: deu eview taken as various parts are indicated by numerals; the main body of theld'evice consistsof al shallow box-f like base I I, having 'a rear wall"l3 ahd'fiidt walls [5. "The base II" is open. atthe'tQpandthe'sidB walls I 5 are preferably longitudinally grooved asat l 1 tojf receive and slidably', engage the. tongues lfl' formed along thelongitu'dinal edges of a top 2|.v 'Ijhetop; 2| is of a sizeto formJ-a complete closure for thefopen top of the, boxlike base l-"I. Atitsffront endthebox-like base II is open and is provide'd with vertical wall portions 23 Referring now to the drawings in whichthe L-WilliamRussellDoss:and Caswell J. "1 Memphis, Tenn. p

Rogue;

Application March 17, 1949; Serial N 0. 81,958

' 9 Claims. (olive-414') extend a minor distance inwardly" to provide for the purposes hereinplurality of longitudinallyyspaced', vertically disposed grooves which are adapted to slidably receivethe end lugs 2'! of an abutment member 29. Preferably the abutment member 29 along its forward face is provided with a shallow horizontally disposed groove (see; Fig. 3) which is adapted to engage an edge portion of the handle 3| of a conventional key 33. Atits forward end the device is provided with a box-like member whichis of rectangular cross section and is of a size to reciprocally slide'between the front wall portions 23 and between "the top 2| and the base H.- At its rearward end'the box 35 is open and is provided with laterally projecting flanges 31 which are adapted toengage the shoulder-like interiors of the front wall portions 23 to stop the forward movement of the box 35- outwardly from the base I I. At its forward end the box portion 35 is providedwith an opening 39 which is adapted to loosely surround'the shank. of a key 33. Housedwithin the box'35 is the major portion of a compression spring 4 I which spring at its rearward end isprovided with a distorted portion 43 which'is adapted-tooverliethe face of the key handle 3| and which includesa downwardly projecting, off-set hook portion which is provided to engage thestandardaperture 41 with which along the longitudinalmid line thereof to over lie a boss 5| with which Ith'e abutment member 29 is preferably provided, The channelwayfl is further preferably provided with indentations 53 which are spaced to correspond with the spacing of the vertical grooves 25 and which are adapted to. engage the boss 5! to retain the top 2 I; against undesired sliding movement.

,Insome instances it is preferable to substitute for the top 2|, which slidably engages the side walls I5, a top 12! .which is pivoted tothe side walls I5 as by a pin 123.: Preferably the top Hill is provided with a latchpin adapted'to engage a suitable slot l2! adjacent the forward edge of theside walls 15.,

determined the abutment member 29 is positioned so that its lugs 21. engage a selected pair of vertical grooves. 25, the abutment member being seated against the. base H withits grooved face forwardly,disposedt The spring 4|,maybe re-v moved fromthe spring box. 35 and the shank of p the key 33 threaded through the convolutions ammo 6f the spring with the distorted portion 43 brought into engagement with one face of the key handle 31 and the hook 45 engaged with the key aperture 47. Theed'ge' portion of the'key handle 3| may then be engaged with the groove of the forward face of the abutment member 39 and the flanges 31 seated in engagement with tl-i.

inner faces of the front wall portions 23. 'Ifhe tongues I9 of the top 2| may then be slidably engaged with the longitudinal grooves l1 and moved to position, effecting completion of the closure of the container. the channel 49 sliding along the boss 5| and the boss 5| engaging the indentation 53 which is in alinement with theagainst the front wall of the box 35 andthe rear-' ward hook and bearing against the interior of the key aperture 41. The key obviously may then be turned in the lock in usual; fashion, engagement of the key shank with the lock tumblers preventing-sliding movement ofthekey out of the lock and retainin it therein with the'box 35 and spring t l telescoped within the casing. When the key is again turned to normal unlocked position. so as to free the key from the-tumbler restra-int, the action of the spring 41 is effective to force the box 35 outwardly and tothereby effect the withdrawal or ejection of the key from the lock, thus preventing accidental presence of the key in the lock in undesired manner.

If desired the container may be provided with the pivoted top IZI. in which case the top would merely be snapped into closed position after the 7 key, spring 4|, and spring box-35 had'been positioned as previously described. It will of course beunderstood that the abutment member 29 may be permanently fixed in a single suitable posi-i tion, but it is preferred that the abutment bere'movable and adjustable to'accommodate keys of varying sizes. It will be seen thatakey 33 may be simply and readily fastened within the casing Without any change in its original shape or size and that it may as readily be removed ifdesired and another key substituted therefor.

.We claim: a 1. A holder for a key having a shank and an apertured handle, which comprises a s'h'allow,-

movement of said boxmemberl; the rear end of said box member being in open communication with said casing interior, said-box-memberhaving a slotted front end; a compression spring housed-- in said box member andextendinginto said casing interior, having at itsrear end ahook portion, and a cover slidably engaging said side Walls to effect closure of said casing, said cover 4 having a longitudinal channel formed along its underside and including a plurality of indentations spaced therealong, said abutment member including arr-upwardly projecting boss coacting with saidchannel indentations to restrain sliding movement of said cover, said key when positioned in said holder having its handle housed within said casing and abutting said abutment nir'iiber and its shank projected forwardly through said slotted front end, said spring surroundin said positioned key with said hook engagin the aperture of said key handle, said spring oppositely sating against the inner face of thefro'nt end of said box member to urge said box member outwardly.

2. Aholder for a key having a shank and an apertured handle portipn which comprises a shallow, box-like casing havingverticalside walls, an open top and a; hollow interior,- an abutment member positioned transverse said casing, said casing having an open front flanked by shoulders, a hollow box member slidably projecting through said open front and provided at its rear end with laterall projecting flanges engaging said shoul-' ders to stop forward movement-of saidbox member, the rear end of said box member being in open communication with said casing interior, said box member having a slotted front end, a compression spring housed in said box member and extending into said casing interionhaving at its rear end a hook portion, and a cover slidably engaging said side walls to effect closureof said casing, said cover having a longitudinal channel formed along its underside, said abutment mem ber including an upwardly projecting boss 00- acting with said channel to restrain sliding movement of said cover, said key when positioned in said holder having itshandle within said casing abutting said abutment member and its shank projected forwardly through said slotted front end, said spring surrounding said positioned key with said hook engaging the aperture of said key handle, saidspring oppositely seating against the inner face of the frontend of said box member to urge said box memberoutwa'rdly.

3. A holder fora key having a shank and an apertured handle portion, which comprises a shallow, box-like casing having vertical side walls, an opentop and a hollow interior, an abutment member adjustably positioned transverse saidcasing, the interior of said side walls being provided with a, plurality of longitudinally spaced, vertically disposed grooves, said abutment member having end lugs removably engaging an opposed pair of said grooves, said casing having an open front flanked by shoulders; a hollow box member slidably projecting through said openfront and provided at its rear end with laterally projecting flanges engagingsaid-shoulders to stop forward movement of; saidbox: member; the I rear end of said box member being in open communication with said casing interier said box member having a. slotted front end, a compression spring housed in said box member and extending into said casing interion'havinglatits rear end ahook portion, andacoiir'slida'bly engaging said sidewaHsftdeliect' cmsiii of's'aid casing, said key when positionedin s'aidlioldefliavi within s'faid ca'sirig"abuttiii'g'said abu ber and it's shank projected" ra'raamiy'tnrtugh saidslotted front end; said positioned key with; said Hook engaging the aperture of said ke'yh'andle, saidfspringoppositely seating against "the inner i-ts handle spring s'ur'rdiinain slidably projecting through said open front and provided at its rear end with laterally projecting flanges engaging said shoulders to stop forward movement of said box member, the rear end of said box member being in open communication with said casing interior, said box member having a slotted front end, a compression spring housed in said box member and extending into said casing interior, and a cover slidably engaging said side walls to effect closure of said casing, said key when positioned in said holder having its handle within said casing abutting said abutment member and its shank projected forwardly through said slotted front end, said spring surrounding said positioned key with one end engaging the aperture of said key handle, and the opposite end seating against the inner face of said box member front end to urge said box member outwardly.

5. A holder for a key, which comprises a shallow, box-like casing having vertical side walls, an open top and a hollow interior, an abutment member positioned transverse said casing, means adjustably securing said abutment member in position, said casing having an open front flanked by shoulders, a hollow box member slidably projecting through said open front and provided at its rear end with laterally projectin flanges engaging said shoulders to stop forward movement of said box member, the rear end of said box member being .in open communication with said casing interior, said box member having a slotted front end, a, compression spring housed in said box member and extending into said casing interior, having at its rear end a'hook portion, and a cover slidably engaging said side walls to effect closure of said casing, said key when positioned in said holder having its handle within said casing abutting said abutment member and its shank projected forwardlythrough said slotted front end, said spring surrounding said positioned key with said hook engaging the aperture of said key handle, said spring oppositely seating against the inner face of the front end of said box member to urge said box member outwardly.

6. A holder for a key, which comprises a shalloW, box-like casing having vertical side walls, an open top and a hollow interior, an abutment member adjustably positioned transverse said casing, the interior of said side walls being provided with a, plurality of longitudinally spaced, vertically disposed grooves, said abutment member having end lugs removably engaging an opposed pair of said grooves, said casing having an open front, a hollow box member slidably proj ecting through said open front and including means for engaging an abutment on said casing to stop forward movement of said box member, the rear end of said box member being in open communication with said casing interior and the front end having an opening therein, a, compression spring housed in said box member and extending into said casing interior, and a, cover slidably engaging said side wallsto effect closure of said casing, said key when positioned in said holder having its handle within said casing abutting said abutment member and its shank projected forwardly through said box member, said spring surrounding said positioned key with one end engaging said key handle, the opposite end of said spring ber outwardly.

7. A holder for a key, which comprises a shallow, box-like casing having vertical side walls, an open top and a hollow interior, an abutment member positioned transverse said casing, and having means removably engaging said side walls, said casing having an open front, hollow box member slidably projecting through said open front and provided at its rear end with means for engaging an abutment on said casing to stop forward movement of said box member, the rear end of said box member being in open communication with said casing interior and the front end having an opening therein, spring means housed in said box member and extending into said casing interior, a cover slidably engaging said side walls to effect closure of said casing,

and means restraining sliding movement of said cover, said key when positioned in said holder having its handle Within said casing abutting said abutment member and its shank projected forwardly through said box member, said spring means engaging said positioned key and oppositely engaging said box member to urge said box member outwardly.

8. A holder for a key, which comprises a casing having vertical side walls, an open top and a hollow interior, an abutment member positioned transverse said casing, means carried by said member removably engaging said side walls, said casing having an open front, a hollow box member slidably projecting through said open front and provided at its rear end with means for engaging an abutment on said casing to stop forward movement of said box member, the rear end of said box member being in open communication with said casing interior and the front end having an opening therein, a compression spring housed in said box member and extending into said casing interior, and a cover slidably engaging said side walls to effect closure of said casing, said key when positioned in said holder having its handle within said casing abutting said abutment member and its shank projected forwardly through said box member, said spring surrounding said positioned key with one end engaging said key handle, and the opposite end engaging said box member to urge said box member outwardly.

9. A holder for a key, which comprises a casing for housing the handle of said key, a member telescopically engaging said casing for slidably embracing the shank of said key, means urging said member outwardly from said casing, said casing including a transversely disposed abutment member positioned to engage an edge portion of said key handle, and means removably securing said abutment member to said casing for adjustment longitudinally of said casing.

WILLIAM RUSSELL DOSS. CASWELL J. HOGUE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,745,836 Miller et a1. Feb. 4, 1930 2,295,356 Rathbun Sept. 8, 1942 2,484.54! Bishiop Oct. 11, 1949 2,488,240 Rumsey Nov. 15, 1949 

